Phillip Enright And Timothy

Whatcom People: Lynden High announces second-semester honor roll

Seniors: Bailey D. Keown.

Sophomores: Madison J. Hommes, Michelle J. Navis and Taylor R. Vandalen.

Freshmen: Frances A. Sauter, Kate R. Seaholm, Katherine N. Haveman, Kayla R. Bajema, Melissa M. DeGraaff, Nilly E. Wasef, Trisha V. Snydar, Tylar L. Holden and Tyler J. Stitt.

3.5 to 3.9 GPA

Seniors: Allison E. Moffat, Amanda S. Tapia, Audrey R. Erhart, Brady R. Biesheuvel, Briley L. Benner, Connor J. Anderson, Courtney L. Oostra, Danica J. Helgath, Daniel Huante, Daniel P. Kooistra, Elana J. Knutzen, Emily A. Johnston, Emily A. Kok, Emily L. Shumway, Hannah M. Shine, Henry J. Lancaster, Jacob D. Jones, Jason W. Hack, Jessica R. Biesheuvel, Jordan A. Schiffman, Jordan F. Jungwirth, Joshua D. Doerksen and Julia C. Roper.

Julianne E. Seely, Kaitlyn E. Carter, Kelsey A. Schuler, Krista J. Beck, Landon J. Wynne, Laura M. Webb, Lauren E. Olson, Mackenzie L. Wynne, Madison B. Olson, Marina A. Ammosova, Megan O. Niemela, Michaela E. Unruh, Nicole C. Wynne, Nicole R. White, Sarah K. Bosch, Sebastian L. Kent, Summer D. Macy, Sunni G. Schoepe, Thomas Witecki, Timothy I. McClure, Zachary J. Weidenaar and Zachary R. Haveman.

Juniors: Alyssa D. Mehlhoff, Amber L. Stokes, Amy L. Van Ingen, Andrew R. Titus, Audrey J. Cimoch, Braden C. Fishbook, Brady J. Geleynse, Braeden H. Wiebe, Carlos R. Sahagun, Carrie L. Starbuck, Cassidy R. Gunst, Christine J. Lee, Elizabeth M. Webb, Fraser J. Shindruk, Gurkirat Randhawa, Ikjot Gill, Jared M. Ward, Jeremy J. Korthuis, John P. McGuire, Jordan D. Kreider, Jordan R. Kooi, Juan C. Acosta, Kailey M. Olson and Kassandra M. Preysz.

Kayla E. VanVoorst, Lindsey Bouwman, Lucas D. Jacob, Lukas R. Tjoelker, Mackenzie A. Mayberry, Maleah A. Greathouse, Matthew L. Boulette, Meagan L. Kivlighn, Megan R. Abundis, Molly J. Heiser, Molly J. Koker, Paul C. VanderHoek, Philip D. Douglas, Prabhdeep K. Brar, Raedean M. Vanwerven, Sarrah J. VanZanten, Spencer T. Enright, Stephen H. Sterk, Tanner L. Lingbloom, Taryn R. Vis, Taylor M. Witman, Tory D. Wasisco and Zoe J. Kramme.

Sophomores: Bret G. DeGraaff, Brianna M. West, Brittny B. Adderley, Brock D. Benner, Brooke N. Bonsen, Caleb C. Newman, Calob A. Symonds, Christopher B. Schuler, Daniel E. Ashworth, Devon M. Kollmyer, Dominick K. Iaconetti, Eli K. Maksin, Elijah J. Varner, Elizabeth K. Wilson, Gabe T. Kaemingk, Georgia M. Clark, Henry F. Dotson III, Howard E. Lloyd, Jacob P. Brouwer, Jacqueline Vogel, Jay D. Roper, Jeffrey D. Propersi, John J. Shine and Josh W. Kraght.

The Cay

CHARACTERS: Phillip Enright, 11, American citizen living with his parents on Curacao; Timothy, an elderly black West Indian deckhand; and Stew Cat, a tomcat shipwrecked along with them.

SUMMARY: In February 1942 the Germans hit an oil refinery on Aruba, neighboring island of Curacao, Dutch island off the Venezuelan coast. Young Phillip is living in Willemstad, Curacao, with his parents, but after the hit his mother wants to return to America. Phillip and Father are against the plot, but eventually Mother gets her way.

Just days out to sea, the Germans torpedo the Dutch freighter Phillip and his mother have boarded to flee Curacao. The ship breaks up and sinks; mother and son are separated. Mrs. Enright’s fate is unknown, but Phillip is hauled onto a lifeboat by a very ancient black West Indian who’d been a crewmember on board the “Hato.” The only other occupant of the lifeboat is an ancient cat named Stew Cat; the three are adrift on the open sea for days with only a keg of water, some matches and a few crackers.

Phillip was struck on the head when the “Hato” was sunk, and he has a splitting headache and concussion. After two days on the raft with Timothy and Stew Cat, he goes completely blind. On the third day at sea a plane flies overhead and Timothy signals for help with a torch, but they are not seen.

Timothy, Phillip and the cat make it to a small island that the ancient Negro, an ancient sea-hand, figures must be in the Devil’s Mouth. Phillips early reaction to Timothy is one of revulsion; he finds the huge black man hideous and frightening. His mother’s prejudice against blacks is a factor in his attitude, but Phillip eventually overcomes it and they truly become friends.

When they first land on the island, Phillip feigns helplessness, refusing all labor. Timothy encourages the boy and teaches him to make things they’ll need. When the boy gathers the courage to climb a coconut palm, he stops feeling sorry for himself and decides to do as much as he can. He is no longer a helpless blind boy. Timothy starts teaching Phillip survival skills–without telling the boy that he is preparing him for survival on the island after the ancient man dies.

In July with a terrible hurricane brewing, Timothy makes preparations for it, including lashing their water tank, matches and knife high on the trunk of a palm tree. They survive the first part of the storm and rest while the hurricane’s eye is over them. Then they again lash themselves to the tree again to wait out the storm. After the hurricane, Phillip finds that Timothy has borne the brunt of the storm to protect him; the huge West Indian’s back is flayed open by sand and things driven by the high winds, and Phillip can’t stop Timothy’s bleeding. The ancient man dies. Stew Cat, who was missing after the fierce storm, reappears.

The cay

Literature Guide: The Cay

Timothy of the Cay

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Dictionary of American children's fiction, 1960-1984, recent books of recognized merit